The third leg of my sabbatical began on October 12th, with a scenic fly-by of Mt. Hood, in Oregon’s Cascade Mt. Range.
While the trip afforded the pleasant opportunity to have a quality visit with my brother Michael (aka Superhero Spot), as well as master gardener, carousel wood carver, and my mom, Suzette…
…a main goal of my research was to capture the ambience of the Cunningham family heirloom, an 1875 Steinway rectangular grand piano, permanently housed in Suzette’s living room.
For years I have been listening to the expressive piano improvisations played on the family Steinway by my brother Michael, and the sabbatical visit allowed allowed for some serious recording opportunities. The following selection is an excerpted from an extended solo piano improvisation played by Michael in his own indomitable style.
The recording session also yielded four piano-didgeridoo duets, including this piece featuring the family Steinway and my newly re-gifted handmade “Maple Syrup” didgeridoo.
My Oregon trip also provided the opportunity to research prospective ambient capture, recording, and performance sites. And, thanks to the guidance of my former University of Oregon college roommate, Tom Fullmer, I was introduced me to “The Grotto” (aka The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother), a federally-recognized sacred site encompassing 62 acres within the Portland city limits. https://thegrotto.org/
The Grotto offers numerous potential ambient locales, including the main grotto, which was officially dedicated in 1924…
The Chapel of St. Mary…
A cloistered Servite Monastery…
And a large upper botanical gardens with a panoramic meditation chamber…
I am currently seeking funding opportunities for a return to Portland in order to capture, perform, and record at a variety of locales at the Grotto. Hopefully my return is sooner than later.
